Disability Travel - Wheel chair passenger from LHR - SYD on BA. Any experience?

I originally posted this is a thread in the British Airways forum, and it was suggested that I seek some guidance here.

'I have been interested in some of the posts, especially from bealine.

The OH's Mother travels to SYD every year. Without going into details, she is disabled, although she can walk short distances, but not manage stairs.

To date, she has flow SQ in J and has been very happy with the assistance that she has been offered, and received when she has needed, to get to the WC. The cabin crew have always rushed to assist her, apparently.

The SQ fares have really increased this year (for January 2011), so she is now considering BA J instead.

I called the Gold line and spoke to a pleasant but poorly informed lady, who had obviously not read anything on the website. As she will have an 'I' class ticket and no status, she would not normally qualify for seat selection, but I really want to get her a seat near the CSD office on the 747 via BKK as this is near a WC. I think we will probably manage this. The lady stressed that we should mention that "she cannot manage stairs" so 'WCHS' seems appropriate and should allow her to have seat allocation.

I understand that there is a wheelchair on the 747. Any comments about how/when it is used?

I wonder whether she is likely to be offered any assistance to the WC, although she should be able to walk there herself all/most of the time. I know that the website suggests a carer should be present, but that is not really needed or practical. She has managed three times on SQ, with limited assistance on board, although she requires a wheelchair at the airport.

Also, the lady on the 'phone was not sure whether she would be able to use the lounges. I know from personal experience that the BKK lounges are quite a long way from the 'plane, but does anyone have any experience of what happens for passengers in wheelchairs?

Surely she should be able to use the lounges at LHR and SYD at least?

Thank you. '

I received some useful information regarding the rights of UK disabled passengers and followed up with:

'Bump.

The comments regarding the policy and related law was very interesting and useful.

We are about to book the trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions/experience of her likely experience at BKK or SIN as a wheelchair passenger?

Also, are there any benefits of the front row of J in the mid J 747 over the 777? Both are near the WC and the galley?

We think the choice of plane/route may come down to how she is likely to be looked at during the stop en route.

Thanks for any help. '

Any thoughts, please?

The onboard wheelchair (there should be one) should not be relied on . . .
1) because the crew might not be able to find it,
2) because the crew might not be able to work out how to use it,
3) because even if the crew do find it, and know how to use it, the practicality of actually using it in a full and operational aircraft is interesting to say the least.
If she can walk, then better to ask for a helping hand, it will be quicker and simpler.

Sitting near to the WC . . . can be advantageous, but there are times when being seated near the loo can be unpleasant. On a long=haul flight the atmosphere around such a public loo takes on a life of its own, and adds a new bouquet to one's drinks, and flavour to one's meals! ;)

As for the use of the lounges . . . Are they really important? I've never quite seen the benefit of a lounge -vs- the departure hall, other perhaps than when one has hours to kill prior to a flight, which I would imagine in this case would not apply.

I second Hilton's caution about the on board wheelchair if your mother can in fact walk short distances (ie, from her seat to the restroom). It's really a last ditch affair for those who cannot walk at all.

I have considered (seriously) that it would be less wear and tear all around for me to drop to the floor and scoot to the lavatory on my butt instead of doing the whole OBWC drama.

Also, the lady on the 'phone was not sure whether she would be able to use the lounges. I know from personal experience that the BKK lounges are quite a long way from the 'plane, but does anyone have any experience of what happens for passengers in wheelchairs?

Surely she should be able to use the lounges at LHR and SYD at least?
...
Does anyone have any suggestions/experience of her likely experience at BKK or SIN as a wheelchair passenger?

I don't have any advice about the onboard wheelchair, nor (sadly ;)) about J seats, but can offer some experience on transiting BKK and SIN as a wheelchair passenger. I fly between SYD and Europe through SIN and BKK often, and in 2008, prior to hip replacement surgery, I flew Qantas SYD-SIN-FRA and LHR-BKK-SYD with wheelchair assistance in the terminals. As Qantas and BA codeshare flights, the following is probably applicable to both.

The key issue in SIN and BKK is the length of the transit time and the attitude of the individual assistant. If it's the same flight number for both segments, by the time you're off the plane, there's often only 20 to 30 minutes before the time they want you back at the gate (where you will probably sit for another 45 minutes or more...). If the first flight is delayed, they try to make up the time at SIN or BKK so the transit time is even shorter. Even on my own two feet, I sometimes only have time to visit the WC and then head back to the gate.

When I had wheelchair help, the assistant in SIN pushed me up the jetway, into the hallway of the terminal, around the corner and back into the boarding gate - perhaps 100 feet in total - then sat down some distance away and played games on his phone. :rolleyes: It was only about 20 minutes until the advertised "be at the gate" time, and I knew I could walk to the loo if I needed to, so I didn't complain, but if I had been really immobile and needed to use the WC or get a drink of water, it would have been frustrating. On paper, the transit time (from arrival of one flight to departure of second) was 1.5 hours.

On the return trip through BKK, I had 2.5 hours, and the wheelchair assistant was happy to take me to the lounge, which was (as you say) quite a long way away - in fact, he tried to persuade them to let me into the F lounge even though I knew I wasn't entitled. :D

Bottom line - she may need to insist on being taken to the WC or a cafe or whatever in SIN/BKK if the assistant is not cooperative. If she wants to use a lounge, she'll probably need at least a 2 hour transit time on paper.

She should be able to use the BA/QF lounges in LHR and SYD on departure; in both places the wheelchair assistants were happy to take me from the check-in desk (SYD) or arrival gate (LHR) to the lounge, then come collect me in time for boarding. They will not, typically, stay with her in the lounge, nor will they necessary leave the wheelchair with her, depending on the demand for wheelchairs at the time, but if she can manage on her own within the lounge, she'll be fine.

I hope she has a great trip and enjoys her time in Australia. :)

RadioGirl, many thanks for your above helpful response and PM.

Your comments are very useful and I will pass them on to her.

We have booked her on the flight via BKK, so I know that there is some chance that she will not have sufficient time to make it through security and to the lounge, but that is not likely to be the end of the world. As long as they can take her to the WC, she will be able to walk a short distance and look after her self. She can do the same in the lounge, although it appears that the staff member should stay with her according to BA.

I called BA and the staff member was very patient and helpful and dealt with the arrangements. She has an aisle seat at the front of the J cabin on the main deck near the WC and CSD office.

Thank you also for your kind wishes!